Autism in the News – Thursday, 05.27.10

Second Chance Prom helps special needs kids come in first (Egg Harbor City, N.J.)It started as “kind of a gag,” morning radio personality Eddie Davis said Saturday, May 22 at his station’s Lite Rock 96.9 WFPG Second Chance Prom at Renault Winery. Read more.

Laguna Beach students highlight heroes (Laguna Beach, Calif.)Heroes aren’t just comic book characters, according to some young Laguna Beach filmmakers. Locals will learn about the heroes in their neighborhoods at the third My Hero Laguna Fest 7 p.m. Thursday at Seven Degrees. Many of the films come from students at Laguna Beach schools, where classes work with the My Hero Project. Since 1995, the nonprofit group, founded by three Laguna Beach mothers, has worked to get more positive role models into the media. In addition to sponsoring an international film festival in the fall, the group works with schools around the world and runs a website that showcases heroes. Read more.

WCU grad students help children with autism in local community (Cullowhee, N.C.)Graduate students from Western Carolina University’s communication sciences and disorders department worked with Julie Ogletree, a speech-language pathologist in Jackson County, to develop a social skills group for children with autism. Read more.

New book seeks to thwart bullying of those with autism (Autism Support Network)As children with autism enter what can be the cruel social world of junior high years, the subject of bullying in the school shifts front and center as a topic of concern. Often these students can find themselves the targets of teasing and bullying for their seemingly eccentric behaviors or apparent ignorance of the social dynamics around them and reluctance to interact with their peers. Read more.

Prime-time television tackles autism (CNN)In a scene from NBC’s “Parenthood,” two parents are attempting to get their 8-year-old son ready for school. The child insists on wearing a pirate costume to class, again. His father asks him to take it off so he won’t get teased. His mother says it’s OK, mainly so she can get him out the door on time. Read more.

Imagine! all the happy people (Longmont, Colo.)Next week, Loren Hobart will move into a new home for developmentally disabled people. And he gets to do it with his two best friends. Read more.